Our Vision

The efforts of IFRAD are built towards achieving fully developed and thriving communities that are able to independently grow and sustain themselves and their resources, thus envisioning; “Economically enterprising and peaceful communities”.

What we Do

IFRAD employs a private-sector-led approach towards development through stimulating issue based policy debates and advocacy, enhancement of community assets through capacity building, as well as building a sustainable business ecosystem.

About Us.

International Foundation for Recovery and Development (IFRAD) is a holistic socio-economic development organization working to improve the wellbeing of enterprising people and communities in Uganda. We are membership based organization incorporated in 2009 with the mandate to operate within Uganda and broadly across East Africa.

We have a unique model that works – hinged on;

entrepreneurship development

private sector organizing

systems influencing

With very systematic interventions at micro (sub county), meso (district) and macro (national) levels, we empower extremely vulnerable and marginalized children, youth and women with the necessary tools to become self-sustaining, reduce vulnerabilities and take charge of their lives and those of their families.

IFRAD employs a private-sector-led approach to development which emphasises building and strengthening of capacities for both informal and formal private sector to; a) organize, b) build wealth and c) exercise active citizenship. IFRADs model increases opportunities for the informal private sector to organize and increase their contribution to both rural and urban economies.

IFRAD targets children, adolescents, youth and women as priority strategic investment cleavages as a result of the current demographic construct, economic disadvantages, as well as the likely long-term investment advantages the target groups offer.

Our Vision:

The efforts of IFRAD are built towards achieving fully developed and thriving communities that are able to independently grow and sustain themselves and their resources, thus envisioning "Economically Enterprising and peaceful Communities".

Our Mission:

At IFRAD, our mission is to work with enterprising people and communities, creating a conducive environment for asset-building, wealth creation and democratic engagement.

What we do.

IFRAD conducts and invests in activities linked to the following six core areas

agribusiness value chain development

Building capacities and enhancing the abilities of individuals or groups to engage in economically practical and vibrant business opportunities with particular focus on agribusiness value chain development.

wealth creation and enterprise growth

Creating a research and learning platform for private sector, financial and business development organizations to aid reflection and development of innovative public-private sector solutions to wealth creation and enterprise growth.

Powering ICT exploration hubs

Leading in the development of highly innovative and practical business growth, Information and Communication Technologies that increase business productivity and incomes through ICT exploration hubs.

competitive farms and businesses

Strengthening market, technical and financial connections necessary for enterprising people to enable them build competitive farms and businesses.

business-enabling environment

Undertaking activities focused at improving the business-enabling environment through advocacy and creating opportunities for young people in the private sector.

Mainstreaming crosscutting issues

How we do it

Entrepreneurship for Development

We build capacities of individuals and groups in entrepreneurship. We run an in-school track for children, adolescents and youth as well as an out of school track for youth and women. In-school beneficiaries adopt an entrepreneurial attitude, while out of school beneficiaries go on to start own businesses or expand them, while others choose to find employment in business environments.

Private Sector Organizing at the base of the Pyramid

We create platforms for enterprising individuals and groups in the informal private sector to organize and convene, thus increasing opportunities for collective access to finance (through group savings and loans associations and linkages to micro-loans) as well as access to markets (through bulking and market linkages). IFRAD is the pioneer in increasing opportunities for informal private sector to organize, implement social action plans and engage with local governments/policy makers. We support the formation of District Private Sector Networks as the pinnacle of IFRADs private sector organizing at local government levels. The district PSNs continue to provide a network of growth and support for private sector efforts.

Influencing the Business Ecosytem

Private sector networks are responsible for lobbying and advocating for a conducive socio-political and economic environment required for businesses to start and grow. Taxation, licencing, business registration processes, market gazetting and administration, financial regulations and active citizenship are common influencing areas. We build leadership, research, advocacy and influencing capacities of respective District Private Sector Networks (PSN’s) to identify contextual and systemic bottlenecks and develop social action plans required to influence pro-development policies. A fairer business operating environment is created for enterprising women and men in pursuit for greater economic justice.

Meet the Team.

Programs Advisor

Nakalya Karol holds a Bachelors degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and a Master of Management Studies. She works as Program Advisor at International Foundation for Recovery and... Read More...

Accounts and Administration

Isanga Safina holds a Bachelors degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Makerere University Business School and works as Accounts and Administration at International... Read More...

Programmes Assistant

Ssempijja Julius holds a Bachelors of Arts in Economics degree from Makerere University and is the programmes assistant at International Foundation for Recovery and Development (IFRAD) in Ntinda.... Read More...

Our Values

IFRAD’s way and means of work are shaped by the following values:

Collegiality!

We share responsibility, ideas and tools in a spirit of connection, collaboration and sincerity.

Integrity!

We hold ourselves to high ethical standards, respect the rule of law and behave honestly.

Resourcefulness!

We are problem solvers who think creatively, act boldly and learn from our mistakes.

Results!

We are accountable for lasting and measurable impact.

Love!

We recognize that people need to love each other and the environment. With love, conflict can be avoided, resulting in the necessary platform for universal development.

Equity!

We recognize the existing unbalanced distribution of resources and power that exists among different sects in communities. We are committed to reversing the currently widening gender and resource gaps among individuals, households and groups.

Latest on News & Events

International Foundational for Recovery and Development (IFRAD) seeks to contract qualified business mentors and coaches to facilitate the achievement of the objective listed above. The assignment will last between 2-3 months based on unique group capacity development plans.
This process is intended to provide day to day business advisory services and support to group businesses to achieve their objectives as stated in their unique group capacity building plans.
Download the... Read More...

In September 2017, Oxfam Novib entered into a partnership with International Foundation for Recovery and Development (IFRAD) to implement the Youth Ignite Change project in Gulu and Arua districts.
Documentary development is one of the key deliverables under this project and thus, IFRAD seeks services of a reutable firm to develop a documentary for the project, to complement IFRAD’s planned promotional and advocacy campaigns which shall be designed to use both mainstream as well as new media.... Read More...

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references and several story-telling examples of your work (if any) to ifraduganda@gmail.com. Storytelling examples may be in any media form the applicant prefers, written, video, etc. Please ensure your application materials clearly state your name in the footer on all pages.
Download Full Job Description and Directions on how to apply HERE.

Emma Naluyima on AgTalks discussing how lucrative her pig business is. Get inspired!

What our Beneficiaries Say.

Hear what Beneficiaries of Our Programs say about us!

Thanks to IFRAD, we are now a force to reckon with in the district. As a Private Sector Network, we have been able to hold our leaders accountable. Our councillors consult us on any economic debate happening in the district council, our groups have received support from the government Youth Livelihood Fund and we are now engaging them to gazette a new market place in town and are pushing our interests through the Mityan District Private Sector Manifesto we developed. This wouldn’t have been possible if we were not a group with such a constituency!

Youth Leader

Without the entrepreneurship training and start-up capital, we would never have established an enterprise like this. We aspire to becoming the biggest suppliers for goat meat in Bungatira sub county or perhaps the whole of Gulu district. Each of our group members has started a business in the community, regardless of the businesses being at different levels, we know that each of them will grow. I now appreciate that the resources we can convert into wealth are within our community, yes I can!

Youth Group Leader

The IFRAD model is the first of its kind, it is going to address many of the challenges that the Production Department has been battling with in Gulu District. This is the model we will have to promote to ensure increased productivity, access to information and marketing.